Career and Education Opportunities for Cost Analysts in Grand Prairie, Texas

There is a wide variety of career and education opportunities for cost analysts in the Grand Prairie, Texas area. There are currently 15,070 working cost analysts in Texas; this should grow 29% to 19,360 working cost analysts in the state by 2016. This is better than the nation as a whole, where employment opportunities for cost analysts are expected to grow by about 25.3%. Cost analysts generally prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service.

Income for cost analysts is about $26 hourly or $55,070 annually on average in Texas. Nationally, their income is about $27 hourly or $56,510 per year. Earnings for cost analysts are better than earnings in the general category of Adjustment and Analysis in Texas and better than general Adjustment and Analysis category earnings nationally. People working as cost analysts can fill a number of jobs, such as: quantity surveyor, sales engineer, and construction estimator.

There are twenty-two schools within twenty-five miles of Grand Prairie where you can study to be a cost analyst, among seventy-four schools of higher education total in the Grand Prairie area. Given that the most common education level for cost analysts is a Bachelor's degree, you can expect to spend about four years training to become a cost analyst if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Cost Analyst

Cost Analyst video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, cost analysts prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. They also may specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

Cost analysts confer with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments or construction foremen to consider and formulate estimates and resolve issues. They also talk with engineers, architects, owners, and contractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates. Equally important, cost analysts have to analyze blueprints and other documentation to ready time and labor estimates. They are often called upon to ready estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors. They are expected to ready estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work. Finally, cost analysts ready cost and expenditure statements and other needed documentation at regular intervals for the duration of projects.

Every day, cost analysts are expected to be able to articulate ideas and problems. They need to deal with basic arithmetic problems. It is also important that they listen to and understand others in meetings.

It is important for cost analysts to ready and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors. They are often called upon to establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations. Somewhat less frequently, cost analysts are also expected to visit site and record data related to access, drainage and topography, and availability of services such as water and electricity.

Cost analysts sometimes are asked to visit site and record data related to access, drainage and topography, and availability of services such as water and electricity. And finally, they sometimes have to prepare cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.

Like many other jobs, cost analysts must be thorough and dependable and be able to absorb the factors involved and a problem and provide a well thought out solution.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Grand Prairie include:

Accountant. Analyze financial information and prepare financial reports to determine or maintain records of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability, or other financial activities within an organization.

Budget Analyst. Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports for the purpose of maintaining expenditure controls.

Business Management Analyst. Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplifications and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

Coroner. Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.

Credit Analyst. Analyze current credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with this credit information for use in decision-making.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Cost Analyst Training

DeVry University-Texas - Irving, TX

DeVry University-Texas, 4800 Regent Blvd, Irving, TX 75063-2439. DeVry University-Texas is a small university located in Irving, Texas. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 3,647 students and an admission rate of 89%. DeVry University-Texas has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree program in Business Administration and Management which graduated seventy-two and 130 students respectively in 2008.

Southern Methodist University - Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University, 6425 Boaz St, Dallas, TX 75275-0221. Southern Methodist University is a large university located in Dallas, Texas. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 10,965 students and an admission rate of 50%. Southern Methodist University has 4 areas of study related to Cost Analyst. They are:

Mechanical Engineering, bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctor's degree which graduated two, eighteen, and three students respectively in 2008.

Construction Engineering, master's degree.

Manufacturing Engineering, master's degree which graduated 9 students in 2008.

Business Administration and Management, bachelor's degree and master's degree which graduated thirty-two and three students respectively in 2008.

Collin County Community College District - Plano, TX

Collin County Community College District, 4800 Preston Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75093. Collin County Community College District is a large college located in Plano, Texas. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 21,000 students. Collin County Community College District has 2 areas of study related to Cost Analyst. They are:

Business/Commerce, associate's degree which graduated 49 students in 2008.

Business Administration and Management, less than one year and associate's degree which graduated eight and four students respectively in 2008.

Cedar Valley College - Lancaster, TX

Cedar Valley College, 3030 N Dallas Ave, Lancaster, TX 75134-3799. Cedar Valley College is a medium sized college located in Lancaster, Texas. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 5,223 students. Cedar Valley College has 2 areas of study related to Cost Analyst. They are:

Business/Commerce, associate's degree which graduated 7 students in 2008.

Business Administration and Management, one to two year and associate's degree which graduated twenty-four and six students respectively in 2008.

Amberton University - Garland, TX

Amberton University, 1700 Eastgate Dr, Garland, TX 75041-5595. Amberton University is a small university located in Garland, Texas. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 1,562 students. Amberton University has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree program in Business Administration and Management which graduated seventeen and 119 students respectively in 2008.

Arlington Career Institute - Grand Prairie, TX

Arlington Career Institute, 901 Ave K, Grand Prairie, TX 75050. Arlington Career Institute is a small school located in Grand Prairie, Texas. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs and has 270 students. Arlington Career Institute has a less than one year program in Business/Commerce which graduated three students in 2008.

Northwood University - Cedar Hill, TX

Northwood University, 1114 W FM 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104-1204. Northwood University is a small university located in Cedar Hill, Texas. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 864 students and an admission rate of 55%. Northwood University has an associate's degree and a bachelor's degree program in Business Administration and Management which graduated eighty and three students respectively in 2008.

The University of Texas at Dallas - Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080-3021. The University of Texas at Dallas is a large university located in Richardson, Texas. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 14,940 students and an admission rate of 54%. The University of Texas at Dallas has 3 areas of study related to Cost Analyst. They are:

Materials Engineering, master's degree and doctor's degree which graduated three and zero students respectively in 2008.

Business/Commerce, bachelor's degree and postbaccalaureate certificate which graduated 371 and fifty-eight students respectively in 2008.

Business Administration and Management, master's degree and doctor's degree which graduated 505 and nine students respectively in 2008.

Richland College - Dallas, TX

Richland College, 12800 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75243-2199. Richland College is a large college located in Dallas, Texas. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 15,917 students. Richland College has 2 areas of study related to Cost Analyst. They are:

Business/Commerce, associate's degree which graduated 6 students in 2008.

Business Administration and Management, one to two year and associate's degree which graduated seventeen and sixteen students respectively in 2008.

Eastfield College - Mesquite, TX

Eastfield College, 3737 Motley Dr, Mesquite, TX 75150-2099. Eastfield College is a large college located in Mesquite, Texas. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 10,501 students. Eastfield College has 2 areas of study related to Cost Analyst. They are:

Business/Commerce, associate's degree which graduated 20 students in 2008.

Business Administration and Management, one to two year and associate's degree which graduated ten and nineteen students respectively in 2008.

University of Dallas - Irving, TX

University of Dallas, 1845 E Northgate Drive, Irving, TX 75062-4736. University of Dallas is a small university located in Irving, Texas. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 2,977 students and an admission rate of 91%. University of Dallas has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree program in Business Administration and Management which graduated twenty-nine and 381 students respectively in 2008.

University of Phoenix-Dallas Fort Worth Campus - Dallas, TX

University of Phoenix-Dallas Fort Worth Campus, 12400 Coit Road, Churchill Towers, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75251-2009. University of Phoenix-Dallas Fort Worth Campus is a small university located in Dallas, Texas. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs and has 1,198 students. University of Phoenix-Dallas Fort Worth Campus has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree program in Business Administration and Management which graduated 246 and 133 students respectively in 2008.

Everest College-Arlington - Arlington, TX

Everest College-Arlington, 2801 E Division St-Ste #250, Arlington, TX 76011. Everest College-Arlington is a small college located in Arlington, Texas. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs. It has 599 students and an admission rate of 64%. Everest College-Arlington has an associate's degree program in Business Administration and Management which graduated fifteen students in 2008.

Brookhaven College - Farmers Branch, TX

Brookhaven College, 3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX 75244-4997. Brookhaven College is a large college located in Farmers Branch, Texas. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 11,173 students. Brookhaven College has 2 areas of study related to Cost Analyst. They are:

Business/Commerce, associate's degree which graduated 14 students in 2008.

Business Administration and Management, one to two year and associate's degree which graduated twelve and twenty-eight students respectively in 2008.

Dallas Baptist University - Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University, 3000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211-9299. Dallas Baptist University is a medium sized university located in Dallas, Texas. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 5,297 students and an admission rate of 47%. Dallas Baptist University has bachelor's degree, postbaccalaureate certificate, master's degree, and post-master's certificate programs in Business Administration and Management which graduated six, one, one, and seven students respectively in 2008.

Everest College-Dallas - Dallas, TX

Everest College-Dallas, 6080 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206. Everest College-Dallas is a small college located in Dallas, Texas. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs. It has 356 students and an admission rate of 62%. Everest College-Dallas has an associate's degree program in Business Administration and Management which graduated twenty-eight students in 2008.

Remington College-Dallas Campus - Garland, TX

Remington College-Dallas Campus, 1800 Eastgate Dr, Garland, TX 75041. Remington College-Dallas Campus is a small college located in Garland, Texas. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs. It has 1,277 students and an admission rate of 75%. Remington College-Dallas Campus has an associate's degree program in Business Administration and Management which graduated fifty-eight students in 2008.

El Centro College - Dallas, TX

El Centro College, 801 Main, Dallas, TX 75202-3604. El Centro College is a medium sized college located in Dallas, Texas. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 8,114 students. El Centro College has 2 areas of study related to Cost Analyst. They are:

Business/Commerce, associate's degree which graduated 2 students in 2008.

Business Administration and Management, one to two year and associate's degree which graduated ten and seven students respectively in 2008.

Argosy University-Dallas - Dallas, TX

Argosy University-Dallas, 8080 Park Lane, Suite 400A, Dallas, TX 75231. Argosy University-Dallas is a small university located in Dallas, Texas. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 470 students and an admission rate of 90%. Argosy University-Dallas has a master's degree program in Business/Commerce which graduated two students in 2008.

Mountain View College - Dallas, TX

Mountain View College, 4849 W Illinois, Dallas, TX 75211-6599. Mountain View College is a medium sized college located in Dallas, Texas. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 7,126 students. Mountain View College has 2 areas of study related to Cost Analyst. They are:

Business/Commerce, associate's degree which graduated 14 students in 2008.

Business Administration and Management, one to two year and associate's degree which graduated thirteen and nine students respectively in 2008.

Dallas Christian College - Dallas, TX

Dallas Christian College, 2700 Christian Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75234-7299. Dallas Christian College is a small college located in Dallas, Texas. It is a private not-for-profit school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 310 students and an admission rate of 18%. Dallas Christian College has an associate's degree and a bachelor's degree program in Business/Commerce which graduated one and zero students respectively in 2008.

North Lake College - Irving, TX

North Lake College, 5001 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75038-3899. North Lake College is a large college located in Irving, Texas. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 10,174 students. North Lake College has 3 areas of study related to Cost Analyst. They are:

Construction Engineering Technology/Technician, one to two year and associate's degree which graduated one and ten students respectively in 2008.

Business/Commerce, one to two year and associate's degree which graduated one and nineteen students respectively in 2008.

Business Administration and Management, one to two year and associate's degree which graduated four and six students respectively in 2008.

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Professional Estimator:
The American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE) has been certifying construction estimators for over thirty years.

Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst :
The Society's Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCE/A) program provides a professional credential to SCEA members and nonmembers who demonstrate mastery of basic concepts and methods.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Grand Prairie, Texas

Grand Prairie, Texas photo by Lothar1976

Grand Prairie is situated in Dallas County, Texas. It has a population of over 160,641, which has grown by 26.1% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Grand Prairie, 90, is well below the national average. New single-family homes in Grand Prairie are priced at $174,200 on average, which is near the state average. In 2008, five hundred forty-four new homes were built in Grand Prairie, down from 1,058 the previous year.

The top three industries for women in Grand Prairie are educational services, health care, and finance and insurance. For men, it is construction, transportation equipment, and professional, scientific, and technical services. The average commute to work is about 27 minutes. More than 19.3% of Grand Prairie residents have a bachelor's degree, which is lower than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 5.0%, is lower than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Grand Prairie is 8.7%, which is greater than Texas's average of 8.1%.

The percentage of Grand Prairie residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 55.1%, is more than the national average but less than the state average. Abundant Life Assembly of God Church, Celestial Church of Christ and Saint Andrew Church are some of the churches located in Grand Prairie. The largest religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention and the United Methodist Church.

Grand Prairie is home to Kennedy Middle School Football Stadium and Hendrix Park. Visitors to Grand Prairie can choose from Blue Sky Hospitality, Amerisuites and Comfort Inn for temporary stays in the area.